Wandsworth Council has given a further £46,000 to boost the work of charities, community groups and projects across the borough.

The money, will be used by organisations working to improve the lives of older and vulnerable people; provide activities and opportunities for young residents; and generally benefit the community.

In total, £46,101 was given to 22 borough-based organisations that applied for grants from the fund. The sum was awarded from the second round of applications – with round one seeing £70,603 being shared between 27 organisations earlier this year.

The volunteer-run Wandsworth Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Group will use their grant of £3,650 to run workshops for members to promote well-being and self-management, raise aspirations and strengthen personal and social relationships. The group, which commemorates its 20th anniversary next year, also plans to raise awareness about the blood conditions in the community.

Funding of up to £2,500 was awarded to Roehampton Football Community Academy to help it provide football coaching for 16 to 25-year-olds – most of who are not in education, training or employment – and teach them discipline, teamwork, social skills and timekeeping.

Wandsworth Young Enterprise Centre plans to use funding totalling £1,357 to run two business awareness seminars for young people every month – helping a further 300 disadvantaged young entrepreneurs from the local area.

Battersea-based Doddington Community Roof Garden received a grant of up to £5,000 to set up family-friendly workshops that focus on gardening, art and healthy eating. The organisation – based in the Doddington estate – will also use the money to encourage volunteers to help with gardening all year round and fund more community days.

Wandsworth Council’s leader, Councillor Ravi Govindia, said:
“All of these grants – big and small – will make a huge difference to the valuable work being carried out by charities, groups and projects across the borough. It is fantastic to see all of these organisations taking an interest in helping improve the lives of people, young and old, and from various walks of life – and long may they continue.

He continued:
“The council is committed to do all it can to help residents by providing and supporting the highest standard of services. I would encourage any community-focussed organisation to start developing ideas for a Big Society Fund grant when the next round of applications opens.”

The fund, which aims to promote citizenship, civic action and volunteering, is open to any existing not-for-profit organisation or civil society organisation with an income less than £50,000. All applications must be endorsed by a ward councillor and bidding rounds for 2012 are currently being planned.

The following organisations all received grants of between £500 and £5,000;